Explosive Showdown: Bayelsa Governor And LP Rival Lock Horns On Road Construction Bill

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and Mr. Udengs Eradiri, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the November 11 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, are in disagreement concerning the N30 billion road construction project in Yenagoa, the state’s capital…CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Eradiri, the LP governorship candidate, expressed doubts about how the road project, nearly completed by former Governor Seriake Dickson, could incur a cost of N30 billion.

In response to Eradiri’s claims, Governor Diri, represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, strongly criticized the LP candidate, Udengs Eradiri, labeling him as a persistent purveyor of falsehoods.

Alabrah refuted Eradiri’s assertion that Diri had expended N30 billion on a 10.2km road that had only been asphalted, deeming it a blatant falsehood and an egregious lie that should be entirely dismissed.

Alabrah clarified: “Eradiri recalled that while former Governor Timipre Sylva completed the clearing component of the project, Dickson carried out the sand-filling aspect, and Diri was expected to asphalt the road.”

Governor Diri’s spokesperson chastised the LP candidate for consistently disseminating untruthful information and presenting inaccurate figures in an attempt to gain attention and garner support.

He explained further: “To provide some context, the Douye Diri administration resumed work on the second phase of the 10.2km Glory Drive project in 2021, more than a decade after its initiation during Chief Timipre Sylva’s tenure.

The Sylva administration disbursed N9 billion to the ‘contractor’ for a project that was less than 5% completed. Subsequently, his successor, Senator Seriake Dickson, questioned the amount paid, which his predecessor alleged was for 50% of the project.

This disagreement led to a legal dispute with the contractor, ultimately halting the project’s progress throughout the eight-year duration of the Dickson administration.”

Alabrah underscored that the legal action had prevented the Dickson government from making any alterations to the project, making Eradiri’s assertion even more implausible, especially considering his prior role as a Commissioner and member of the state executive council in that administration.